Daisuke Takahashi decided to become an ice-dancer (with Kana Muramoto) after Jan 2020

[Orm Irian]

It's not unprecedented for a singles skater to switch to ice dance relatively late in their career - Alper Ucar and Fedor Andreev both did it, though Andreev didn't stick around very long. Dai is older, but given all that he's accomplished anything else would just be a cherry on top.

Stephane Walker of Switzerland also switched to ice dance last year and is about to make his international debut, at Finlandia IIRC.

 

[Firedancer]

Haha I thought the same thing!

Me too! Lol. Dai is one of my favorite skaters and I am excited to see him continue his career.

 

[Carolla5501]

I guess I am the only person kind of saddened by this. To me it just feels like a "desperation" move somehow. Hopefully I am wrong.

 

[oleada]

Whaaaaaaaaaaat

 

[AYS]

I mean, their movement matches perfectly already. I'm not even gonna worry about height here, just enjoy the ride.

 

[soogar]

This would really help Japan in the team event at the Olympics.

 

[kittysk8ts]

How wonderful!!

 

[Rukia]

My mouth doesn't drop often, but this did it. Wow. I can't wait to see them in action.

 

[blue_idealist]

I messaged a friend about this and her response was "isn't he too short?" According to ISU bios, the height difference between them is 3cm. That is small.

Aren't Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri almost the exact same height?

 

[MsZem]

Aren't Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri almost the exact same height?

Yes, 4cm per the ISU bio.

The combination of age, inexperience and lack of height difference is a lot to overcome. Though I imagine their will goals reflect this.

 

[Dobre]

Best wishes to them both! It's a huge undertaking, but there is room in the Japanese dance field, both have citizenship, and both are very musical performers with good footwork. I hope they make it!

 

[luckiest1]

Holy sh*t. This took me by surprise! Glad I wasn't the only one to check the date when I read it.

 

[Lanie]

I saw this first on Facebook and I did the shocked Pikachu face.

 

[ostile17]

I guess I am the only person kind of saddened by this. To me it just feels like a "desperation" move somehow. Hopefully I am wrong.

Daisuke isn't desperate about anything. He has a brillian career competitively and professionally on and off the ice. It's yet another challenge for him!

 

[mikeko]

I guess I am the only person kind of saddened by this. To me it just feels like a "desperation" move somehow. Hopefully I am wrong.

I don't think he's desperate. He's always loved ice dance. He loves challenges and doesn't mind leaving his old glories as a single skater behind rather than holding onto it.

 

[bcash]

But he's so short and never had the best lines..

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

I had to check the date of my calender first, to believe this. I think, it's a marvelous idea. He has excellent skating skills, why not improve in this field further. Perhaps become an Olympian 22. I'd love it

I literally checked the date first too lol! I thought it was April Fool's Day!

I'm all for it! Love me some Dai! ❤

 

[Erin]

First reaction:
Second reaction: Sad that it's not happening this year so that they will be in Montreal for me to see them live
Third reaction: Need to figure out what competitions I can go to in 2020-2021 to see them live

 

[maatTheViking]

I think this is great news!

He has always had great musicality, and as he has shown with his comeback, he is good about having realistic goals. I hope Muramoto is in agreement, but I can't see why not.

I love her ice dancing, and is also thrilled to see her on the ice again!

 

[ostile17]

Just aired in Japan

FNN Live News

1

Kiki★☆★ on Twitter

“FNN Live Newsα 髙橋大輔選手 生出演① https://t.co/L7Q9qnaYBT”

twitter.com

2

Kiki★☆★ on Twitter

“FNN Live Newsα 髙橋大輔選手 生出演② https://t.co/URD9Dq5SR7”

twitter.com

3

Kiki★☆★ on Twitter

“FNN Live Newsα 髙橋大輔選手 生出演③ https://t.co/tIUK5248Hg”

twitter.com

4

Kiki★☆★ on Twitter

“FNN Live Newsα 髙橋大輔選手 生出演④ https://t.co/RLMkVQaK4n”

twitter.com

5

Kiki★☆★ on Twitter

“FNN Live Newsα 髙橋大輔選手 生出演⑤ https://t.co/edoCBnfEVw”

twitter.com

 

[Vash01]

I wish he had done this much earlier. Not sure if he can pull it off now.

 

[ostile17]

I guess I am the only person kind of saddened by this. To me it just feels like a "desperation" move somehow. Hopefully I am wrong.

Why would he be desperate? He has a hugely successful career as an athlete and as an artist both on and off the ice. He has always delivered successfully whatever he has started and his popularity in Japan and around the world has never faded even after his retirement.

He just loves yet another challenge. That's the man he is!

ETA - Sorry, I didn't see my first reply had gone through already

 

[wickedwitch]

I have low expectations of what they can do competitively in two years, but I think it could inspire young skaters in Japan to do ice dance.

 

[kittyjake5]

I wish he had done this much earlier. Not sure if he can pull it off now.

We will have to wait and see how it plays out. On the other hand they will have a top rated coach, training base in the US and
the support of JSF. When you think of it this is a huge commitment and quite a challenge for Dai. If someone told
me a year ago that Dai was goIng to sing in Hyoen I would have said sure what are you drinking, but for those who watched
the production, there he was singing his heart out, and he was good.

I don't think for a minute Dai thinks they can compete with the elite Ice Dancers, but for Japan I think it is a good move.

 

[ostile17]

FNN Live News (complete)

190926 髙橋大輔(Daisuke TAKAHASHI) アイスダンスに転向

高橋大輔 fnn news

youtu.be

 

[blue_idealist]

I don't think he's desperate. He's always loved ice dance. He loves challenges and doesn't mind leaving his old glories as a single skater behind rather than holding onto it.

Yeah, it's sort of like when Valentina Marchei switched to pairs, although of course she never had quite as much success in singles as Takahashi.

 

[Kasey]

Anything that gets me more Dai to watch, I'm down with it!

 

[Spun Silver]

I too thought "wait, it's not April 1!" What amazing news - how cool of Daisuke to put his reputation on the line and try another discipline. I can't wait to see how he and Kana look as a team. I do admit to being a bit nervous about the lifts. I'm also thrilled about their working with Marina. Her rink is becoming such a happening place!

 

[Doggygirl]

What awesome news!!! No matter how they develop or how far they go, I will be excited to see them - so I hope we get that opportunity!

 

[ostile17]

Stéphane Lambiel's reaction to the news as posted by Europe on Ice FB

1.1K views · 133 reactions | Reaction from Stéphane Lambiel about the news that Daisuke Takahashi will compete as an ice dancer from next season. #高橋大輔 | By Europe On Ice | Facebook

Reaction from Stéphane Lambiel about the news that Daisuke Takahashi will compete as an ice dancer from next season. #高橋大輔

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